Category Archives: Marathon Training

Normally I do my long run on Saturday or Sunday, but this week I didn’t get around to it until today. Why you ask? Well it really is quite simple…well maybe not that simple. I’ve always been Janie-come-lately when it comes to all the popular t.v. shows. I’ve never been a serious t.v. watcher. I mean, I have watched shows, but I’ve never been too upset if I missed an episode. Now days with DVR etc. you don’t have to worry. So, I’ve always been behind watching the popular shows of the moment. Always listening to others at work discussing the latest trend. First it was True Blood, The Walking Dead and now…Game of Thrones. I usually start off casually with one episode, then maybe another until I’m in full-blown series binge mode. I must say though, the first two shows were good, but damn…Game of Thrones ya’ll! The funny thing about this is I had bought season 1 a while back and I watched the first episode but I didn’t get around to finishing. So, with season 7 out I thought that I would start again.

There is a reason I didn’t get my long run done on Saturday with Sunday being my rest day. The reason, my head was about to explode with GOT overload. I…literally…was…tired. I crammed two seasons in a span of, I don’t know maybe 4 days. It started innocent enough, one episode. Then I told myself, just one more, then I’ll go clean the bathroom, feed the cats…get the mail.

Then one became two and two became three! Curse you Iron Throne and that crappy little boy king!!!!

During episode 5 of season 1 I found that I could hold my iPad™ while getting an Eggo™ out of the freezer and popping it in the toaster for breakfast, without missing a beat. I would have saved more time if I would have purchased some spray butter instead of using a knife to spread the real butter…why waste time dirtying dishes…you just have to spend time putting them in the dishwasher and that means time away…..my precious. I suddenly realized that I was eating only things that were readily available, meaning I wasn’t cooking. I was hungry….

I was eating food that was already prepared like; yogurt, waffles, water and maybe a piece of fruit here and there. Then on day 4 or was it 5…I’m not really sure, I discovered that I had to go to the grocery store. I knew I was in trouble when I went in for groceries and came out with a rotisserie chicken, mild Queso dip, a red bell pepper and a vanilla bean soda (cane sugar).

When I got home I tore off both legs of the chicken (my favorite) opened the Queso dip and found some blue corn tortilla chips and sat down on the couch. I balanced the iPad on my thighs so I wouldn’t get it greasy from the chicken and the chicken that dropped on the floor was eaten by the cats…!

When I woke up on Saturday for the long run the first words that popped into my head were….your Grace! If I hear your Grace, My or Mi Lady, boy or girl, The Wall, Winterfell or White Walkers…I might just pass out!

Today’s long run was good. It was a little cooler this morning and I ran 9. Breathing was great this time around. Getting up there in mileage and for the most part the pains and niggles are ok. I logged 19.37 for the week!

If I were to identify with any of the characters in GOT, so far, it would have be the Mother of Dragons.

I mean come on….whose going to argue with a woman and her dragons. Everyone knows the dragon will always win! Training for a marathon is tough, add Game of Thrones to the mix means it’s down right challenging. I am grateful that I have 6654.85 miles remaining…Gods be good. Happy Miles to You!!

Last weeks run began the slow decline leading up to the St. Louis Rock and Roll Marathon this Sunday. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous yet, maybe more agitated. I’m trying to focus on nutrition, sleep and those little pains that crop up. My right hamstring is hurting, I think I’m getting shin splints in the left leg and the left knee hurts a little. Can you say ~ overuse. Not bad, but none-the-less they have caused me some issues on my long runs. I am using the foam roller, stretching, icing and trying to keep all things in check. So nervous no, but agitated yes.

My short runs during the week were fairly uneventful. My long run on Saturday was eight miles. I started out sure-footed and into a mile of it my right hamstring started acting up. Not bad, but the pain makes my right leg feel heavy. I found myself having to concentrate more on my form. It was a little easier because I had just taken my first Gu Energy Gel. I was trying to gauge if I really felt that kick of energy. I think I did!

I don’t care what flavor you want to call it. You can call it “Best thing since slice bread”. It’s still an energy gel. It tastes like an energy gel. Ice cream…it ain’t!

I also ran with compression socks for the first time. Pink compression socks! Every so often I would look down at my calves and sigh. I love you pink socks…eh hem sorry, but it did take my mind of the pain a bit.

I LOVE THESE ~ they really helped and felt great. LOVE THEM.

Around mile four I actually caught myself yawning. Thank goodness for the skunk on the side of the road. It was a close call. If the stink hadn’t been so bad I might have stopped for a nap and thank goodness it still stunk on the way back too. Really. I’m really glad.

The week unfolded as follows:

Sun ~ rest

Mon ~ 3.33 miles

Tues ~ 1:15 yoga and 3 miles on the elliptical

Wed ~ 1.83 miles (walked)

Thurs ~ Rest

Fri ~ Rest

Sat ~ 8 miles

Total for the week = 16.16. Pain and all…grateful that 10,442.42 remains.